The St. Croix Landmarks Society will be hosting a “Come Home to St. Croix 2013” weeklong celebration of culture, history and family connections at its Estate Whim Museum, Frederiksted. This eight-day celebration, held from July 14-21, will bring together Crucians who live abroad and wish to connect with their rich culture and heritage, those residing at home, others who have made St. Croix their home as well as visitors from far and near.
In its third year, “Come Home to St. Croix” attracts a large numbers of residents and visitors alike. It has grown in popularity, as families and other groups plan reunions around this event. This year, the main exhibit will feature Crucian music and musicians presented by Dimitri “Pickey” Copeman. Each night from July 14-17, Estate Whim Museum will host a lecture or workshop; topics will include: "Getting Started with Your Family History," "Emancipation Revisited" and "Crucian Spoken Here: Language or Dialect?"
A World Music Festival begins Friday, July 19, with Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights Grand Quadrille Dance at 6 p.m. and a live jazz concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, featuring guest artist, all the way from Denmark, famed jazz pianist Ben Besiakov with family and friends. Tickets for these events are now on sale in the Whim Museum Bookstore.
Other planned events during this week will include: Family History Workshop, Cultural Demonstrations, Family Reunion Exhibits, Discover St. Croix Camp, Estate Sandy Point and Turtle Watch, Slaves in Our Family Video: “The Victor Cornelius Story” and Old Time Family Fun Day.
St. Croix Landmarks Society believes that together with other educational programs, this annual event can help children and adults to develop a strong sense of self, place and responsibility. By strengthening family ties, and teaching traditional values and customs, participants can strengthen the community.
Full Schedule:
Opening Ceremony – Honoring Our Ancestors, Sunday. July 14, 3-6 p.m.
Lecture and Exhibit Opening: Who Bin Sen Yoh? – Crucian Musicians and Their Music; Presenter: Dimitri “Pikey’’ Copemann; Reception with light refreshments; Free – Donations Appreciated
Additional Exhibit Openings: Ties that Bind – Family Histories from St. Croix and Beyond; Come Live With Me – Lloyd “Dove” Braffith and Lee Platt
Monday, July 15, 7-9 p.m.
Getting Started with Your Family History: A Hands On Workshop with Presenter: Mary Roebuck; Free – Donations Appreciated
Wednesday, July 17, 7-9 p.m.
Lecture: Emancipation Revisited with Presenter: Mario Moorhead; Exhibit by Dr. George Tyson / VISHA; Free – Donations Appreciated from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17
Forum: Crucian Spoken Here: Language or Dialect? With Presenter: Dr. Nicholas Faraclas and Facilitator: Roland Roebuck; Skit: Stanley Jacobs, Wayne “Bully’’ Petersen, Maren Roebuck, Asta Williams; Free – Donations Appreciated
Thursday July 18, 5:15-8 p.m.
Places That Matter: Estate Sandy Point and Turtle Watch; Presenters: John Farchette and Claudia Lombard; Adults $15 Children under 12 Free
World Music Festival — Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20
Friday, July 19, 6 p.m. Quadrille 101: Learn to Dance Quadrille
7 p.m. Grand Crucian Quadrille Dance with Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights; Adults are $10 and children under 12 are free
Saturday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Film: Slaves in Our Family: “The Victor Cornelius Story”
A Danish/Crucian Musical Connection
8 p.m. — Danish Jazz Pianist Ben Besiakov – Family and Friends; Adults $15 Children under 12 Free
Sunday, July 21, Noon to 5 p.m.
Noon — Old Time Family Fun Day: Demonstrations: Traditional Foods, Crafts and Toys, Games, Music, and Dance
2 p.m.— Songs of Social Relevance: Lesser Known Quelbe and Cariso
Presenters: Dimitri “Pikey’’Copemann, Cedelle Petersen-Christopher, Eldred “Edgie” Christian, Sylvester “Blinky” Mclntosh and Stanley Jacobs
4 p.m. — We Deh Yah Cultural Dancers Quadrille 101- Learn to Dance Quadrille; Adults $5 and children under 12 free
“Come Home to St. Croix” is hosted by the St. Croix Landmarks Society, the islands oldest preservation organization, and sponsored by the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Other sponsors include the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Budget Rent a Car, Cottages by the Sea, Seaborne Airlines, and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Food Fair Board.
For more information on the events planned for this special week, call St. Croix Landmarks Society at 772-0598 or visit the Web site at www.stcroixlandmarks.org.